plied vaguely, "a plausible and preferable explanation of certain actions of mine which had puzzled him—particularly my dubitable presence upon this cathedral tour."
"But how?" the girl persisted.
"Oh—let's not analyze! You've done it, and, if I know the English, you've made him now really unnaturally trustful of me. But, Miss Varris, where is Mrs. Varris?" he changed suddenly.
"She was to go over to the cathedral with Mrs. Hastings. And I told her I would return there."
"Can we find her there now, then?"
"We, Mr. Preston?" the girl teased.
"Oh, I forgot." Preston met her easily. "Your mother has the family funds, hasn't she? And after what you have heard you can't quite consider my connection with the crimes inconclusive enough so that you dare to take me to her."
"Yes; you have evidently forgotten, Mr. Preston," the girl retorted.
39
